Chapter 47: Little Tangerines, Her Favorite Snack

The carriage traveled through the night, moving steadily toward the General’s residence.

Inside the carriage, the two sat at opposite corners, one at the innermost and the other at the outermost.

Jiang Shiyuan leaned against the back of the carriage, head lowered, remaining silent the entire time.

The ambiguity and beauty of earlier had long dissolved into the air, leaving no trace in the silence.

Pei Che had sobered up somewhat. The initial thrill and pride of tasting sweetness now faded like a bubble, replaced by a strong sense of regret.

He had never made such a foolish mistake.

He had made her feel embarrassed.

Pei Che lifted his eyes and looked at Jiang Shiyuan’s lowered head. He opened his mouth, “I’m sorry, I…”

Jiang Shiyuan continued to keep her head down, her voice cold, directly interrupting him, “I don’t accept it.”

Pei Che’s heart tightened. A man who usually remained calm and unflappable suddenly found himself at a loss.

“Well…” He hesitated, his voice full of insecurity, “Then… what do you want to do?”

At that moment, Jiang Shiyuan raised her head, her eyes glistening with tears, her voice full of grievance.

“My lip is torn.”

She had pushed him away, but he had pressed her even closer.

How could she face the world tomorrow?

Pei Che was taken aback, looking at her crimson lips, a mix of shock and joy filling him. “Is it just because of this?”

Jiang Shiyuan’s gaze shifted, avoiding his eyes, her heartbeat threatening to race again.

She admitted that she had been startled.

But it seemed she wasn’t entirely averse to it. It felt… it felt fine.

It would’ve been even better if her lips weren’t hurt.

“Teacher, you should avoid drinking in the future. Every time you drink, you lose that cool demeanor, and it’s a bit embarrassing,” Jiang Shiyuan changed the subject.

She spoke these words, but secretly, a hidden pleasure surfaced in her heart.

Because Pei Che also drank and made a fool of himself.

This was the first time she had seen Pei Che lose his composure. He wasn’t as distant anymore. In fact, they now shared something in common.

For some reason, this small discovery brought Jiang Shiyuan an inexplicable joy.

It was strange that she felt moved by Pei Che’s imperfections.

Perhaps it was because his flaws were so rare, and now, only she had witnessed them.

That uniqueness sparked some imagination in her.

Pei Che heard her teasing and felt a huge weight lift from his heart, his lips involuntarily curling into a smile.

“Tomorrow, I’m going to Yuzhou. If you want anything, I’ll bring it back for you.”

“To Yuzhou? For what?”

“The granary in Yuzhou has some problems. The Emperor is concerned, so he wants me to go check it out. I’ll probably be gone for five days,” Pei Che explained in detail, as if reporting something.

“Is there anything you want?” Pei Che asked again, eager to make it up to her.

Jiang Shiyuan didn’t think of anything immediately, but Pei Che’s words reminded her of something.

“I don’t want anything, actually. On the contrary, I have something to give to you, Teacher. I’ll show it to you when you return.”

“What is it?”

“You’ll know when you get back,” Jiang Shiyuan teased.

Pei Che chuckled.

What Jiang Shiyuan gave him would be strange, and it wasn’t the gift itself, but her nonsense that would leave a lasting impression.

She would pull out wildflowers from the roadside to give him, because they were like the warm sun in winter, and more like his classroom that made people drowsy.

She would make him pay for a mask from the night market’s Nuo opera, then hand it to him because it looked like him holding a ruler—ferocious and fierce.

She would carry the unsolvable nine-linked ring and the tricky Huarong Road, handing them over to him with her hands behind her back, saying, “I’ll test you…”

“Alright,” Pei Che agreed, a hint of expectation in his voice.

The carriage arrived at the General’s residence and came to a smooth stop.

Pei Che stood up first, stepping out of the carriage, and then stood beside it, raising the curtain for her.

It was just like how her father used to do for her mother.

In the past, her father always raised the curtain and led the horse, even though her mother’s horse-riding skills were extraordinary.

Jiang Shiyuan bent down to exit the carriage, and that bony hand reached out again.

Once more, the palm was facing up.

Jiang Shiyuan looked at Pei Che, then placed her hand in his palm.

Pei Che looked at her too, gently holding her fingertips and pulling her down from the carriage.

The warmth from his palm traveled up from her fingertips, through her arm, and steadily ascended to the deepest part of her heart.

Jiang Shiyuan’s heart felt a little fluttery. She couldn’t help but think:

Isn’t Pei Che’s kissing technique as poor as his patience as a teacher? Could it be because it was his first time too?

…

After safely seeing Jiang Shiyuan back, Pei Che turned around and returned to the Grand Tutor’s residence. He called Pei Ziye over.

“I’ll be leaving the capital for a few days. Yuliang is yours to manage.”

Before Pei Ziye could finish speaking, despite the pain in his backside, he excitedly stammered, “Really? I can use it however I want?”

Pei Che gave him a look. “What do you think?”

Pei Ziye snapped out of his excitement. “Got it, got it. I’ll take good care of Auntie while you’re gone.”

Pei Che turned around, pulling out a document from the bookshelf and handing it to Pei Ziye. “The horse farm east of the city is yours.”

Pei Ziye took it, eager to bow down right there and then.

This was the reason, even though Pei Che often scolded him, Pei Ziye still clung to his uncle, shamelessly.

The wise and mighty Grand Tutor, though strict in punishment, was even more generous in rewards.

“Thank you, Uncle. I promise, I’ll take good care of Auntie, make sure she’s happy, and nothing unpleasant will happen!” Pei Ziye patted his chest, smiling obsequiously.

Pei Che paid no attention, continuing, “Not just for Shiyuan, but since you have someone you like, you should start thinking about settling down.”

Pei Ziye froze, scratching his head out of habit. “Uncle, you already know?”

Of course, his uncle was so concerned about Auntie that, with such a big incident, he would’ve investigated thoroughly. How could he fool him with just a few words?

“Your family can support you in your indulgences for a lifetime, giving you the foundation to run wild. But the girl you marry, she’ll be with you for life. The security she wants, the family can’t provide. You’ll have to earn it yourself,” Pei Che spoke slowly.

Pei Ziye said nothing, seeming to ponder, “I understand, Uncle.”

After giving his instructions to Pei Ziye, Pei Che went to his bedroom to change clothes.

The servants were changing the fruit on the table.

Pei Che glanced at them. “Have the little tangerines come in season yet?”

“Huh?” One of the servants froze, not quite understanding.

Pei Che stood before the bronze mirror, undressing his official robes while instructing, “From now on, place little tangerines in every room of the house.”

Pei Che came back to his senses and noticed that the person in the mirror was smiling with a triumphant look in his eyes, filled with a sense of springtime joy.

“This looks like a real person now.”

Pei Che stared at his reflection in the mirror, muttering to himself.

“My lord, the horses are ready. Shall we depart immediately?” A servant’s voice came from outside.

“Set off immediately.”

Pei Che turned around, putting on a black cloak, and quickly stepped out the door.

What would she like?

Does Yuzhou have any pearls?

Pei Che walked, lost in thought.